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March 11, 2005 <br />W es[ern Fuels-Colorado <br />P.O. Box 628 <br />Nucla, CO 81424 <br />New Horizon Mine # 1 & # 2, C-81-008 <br />Special focus evaluation <br />March 8, 2005 <br />Participants: <br />Ross Gubka, Western Fuels <br />Tom Kaldenbach, Colorado Division of Minerals and Geology (DMG) <br />Henry Austin, Office of Surface Mining (OSM) <br />I participated in a special focus evaluation regarding contemporaneous reclamation status on the mine. The <br />DMG / OSM Oversight Team selected this site for evaluation during 2005. Weather conditions were fair <br />and mild; and ground conditions were basically dry throughout the areas inspected. No offsite impacts were <br />identified during [he inspection. The mine is in compliance with the contemporaneous reclamation <br />provisions of their approved permit and DMG rules. <br />Prior to the inspection, Mr. Kaldenbach briefed me using the DMG permit section that describes the mine's <br />contemporaneous reclamation practices. Mr. Kaldenbach also had an exhibit that located annual mining pits <br />over an air photo base. We identified the purpose of our inspection to Mr. Gubka, and completed mine <br />safety paining. Mr. Gubka oriented us on an air photo of the permit area, describing 2004 and 2005 mining <br />and reclamation areas. <br />This mine is struck-shove] operation, and the mine is currently employing independent backfilling and <br />grading contractors to assist in overburden management. We began the inspection on the sideroll-9 <br />2004 reclamation area. This area is stable with no serious erosion evident. The area was reclaimed during <br />2004 and the permanent pasture seed mix was drill seeded with an oats cover crop. The reclamation area <br />was irrigated, thus the sideroll-9 designation for the area. <br />Topsoil is currently being stockpiled (stockpiled for the first time during the life of mine, instead of all <br />direct haul topsoil management which is the norm on this mine) on the south and western end of this <br />reclamation area where the current open pit turned to progress westward. The centerlines for two <br />previously existing roads have been surveyed and marked on final graded overburden between the topsoil <br />storage area and the active pit. The active pit is being backfilled by the contractor where coal removal is <br />complete on the lower of the two seams being mined. Mr. Gubka described the current spoil management <br />practices related to the total depth of overburden in the current open pit. This current open pit represents the <br />maximum overburden, and coal seam depths, mined by this operation on [he permit area to date. This final <br />graded overburden, and the on-going backfilling in the open pit is as contemporaneous as the mining <br />development in the active pit will allow at this time. <br />Based on the above, we conclude this mine is in compliance with their backfilling and grading plan <br />approved in the DMG permit; and that 2004 topsoil replacement areas have been seeded and/or protected as <br />required. This concluded [he evaluation. <br />The operation should be commended for minimizing surface disturbance areas, contemporaneous <br />backfilling and regrading practices, thorough topsoil removal and replacement operations, prompt <br />revegetation and irrigation of topsoiled areas, and successful management of irrigation flows for <br />landowners affected by the mining development. <br />Please address any questions concerning this evaluation report to Henry Austin, Senior Reclamation <br />Specialist, at haustin@osmre.gov or to (303) 844-1400 x 1466. <br />